Trump secretly switched aircraft in Turkey over ‘Iranian threat’: Reports
US President Donald Trump secretly switched from Air Force One to a smaller US military aircraft after leaving last month’s NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, in an operation reportedly prompted by an “Iranian threat,” American outlets say.
According to a report by The Washington Post on Monday, Trump initially boarded an older-model Air Force One in Ankara in view of television cameras, while journalists and some White House staff members believed he would travel aboard the aircraft to Royal Air Force Mildenhall in the United Kingdom.
The Post cited material reviewed by the newspaper, a US official familiar with the operation, and another person with knowledge of Trump’s travel.
Secret aircraft switch
Minutes after boarding Air Force One, however, Trump and several aides were moved to a smaller Air Force C-32A, using an airport catering truck normally used to transport meals and supplies, the report added.
The truck was raised planeside and positioned at a door on the opposite side of the aircraft's main entrance.
The reporters, who believed they were traveling with Trump, were instructed to lower their window shades before takeoff. Trump then flew to Mildenhall aboard the C-32A.
The operation came as US forces were conducting large-scale unprovoked attacks on Iran.
The attacks breached both a ceasefire and a subsequent memorandum of understanding, which were meant to halt the cycle of escalation triggered by the American-Israeli aggression launched against Iran on February 28.
As Trump visited Turkey, the Iranian armed forces were delivering a firm retaliatory response to the violations by striking American interests in the region.
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The New York Times and CBS News have previously reported that US intelligence officials had raised concerns at the time about a potential operation against Trump or his aircraft.
After arriving at Mildenhall, Trump was photographed disembarking from the presidential aircraft before boarding a new Qatar-provided plane for the remainder of his journey to Washington.
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